Written Boards Review and Test Taking Strategies

Overview:

In this episode, Alex sits down with Dr. Adam Rosh (Rosh Review) to cover timelines, mindset and strategies into successful preparation for both written boards and in-service examinations. Additionally, Adam imparts his wisdom as a passionate educator and former program director.

Key Resources / References:

• ABEM Qualifying Exam: https://www.abem.org/public/become-certified/qualifying-exam
• ABEM In-Service Exam:https://www.abem.org/public/for-program-directors/in-training-examination
• EMRA/EM Resident:In-Service Exams, E-Orals and a New Emergency Medicine dual Specialty. https://www.emra.org/emresident/article/in-service-exams-e-orals-and-a-new-emergency-medicine-dual-specialty/
• Question Banks/Review – Just to name a few!
  • Rosh Review
    • https://www.emra.org/about-emra/benefits/rosh-review/
    • https://www.roshreview.com/
  • PEER IX
    • https://www.emra.org/about-emra/benefits/peer/
    • https://www.acep.org/peer/
  • Hippo EM
    • https://www.emra.org/about-emra/benefits/hippo-em/ 
    • https://www.hippoed.com/em/
  • EM Coach
    • https://www.emcoach.org/

Key Points:

Timeline

• 1 Year Out: Look at the Exam Logistics and Personal/Social Barriers
• 6 Months Out: Organize your study schedule, light study
• 1 Month Out: Study!
• 2 Weeks Out: REALLY study (crank it up to 11)
• 2-3 Days Out: “Rolling Stop” – Slow down, recharge.
• 1 Day Out: Light review

Resource Control: Pick 2-3 resources/modalities and stick with them. Book, E-learning, Q-bank or practice exams. Apply your knowledge from several angles. Prove you know the material in more than one context.

• “The Interleaving Effect: Mixing It Up Boosts Learning.”
  • https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-interleaving-effect-mixing-it-up-boosts-learning/. Pan, S. Aug 2015. Scientific American
• Kang, S. “Spaced Repetition Promotes Efficient and Effective Learning: Policy Implications for Instruction.” Behavioral and Bran Sciences. 2016 Vol 3(1) 12-19. DOIL 10.1177/2372732215624708.
  • https://www.dartmouth.edu/~cogedlab/pubs/Kang(2016,PIBBS).pdf